"Hist don't know, herself, whether they suspect her or not, or
whether they suspect you, but she hopes neither is the case. And
now, Serpent, since I have told you so much from your betrothed,"
continued Hetty, unconsciously taking one of the Indian's hands,
and playing with the fingers, as a child is often seen to play
with those of a parent, "you must let me tell you something from
myself. When you marry Hist, you must be kind to her, and smile on
her, as you do now on me, and not look cross as some of the chiefs
do at their squaws. Will you promise this?"
"Alway good to Wah! - too tender to twist hard; else she break."
"Yes, and smile, too; you don't know how much a girl craves smiles
from them she loves. Father scarce smiled on me once, while I was
with him - and, Hurry -Yes - Hurry talked loud and laughed, but I
don't think he smiled once either. You know the difference between
a smile and a laugh?"
"Laugh, best. Hear Wah laugh, think bird sing!"
"I know that; her laugh is pleasant, but you must smile. And then,
Serpent, you mustn't make her carry burthens and hoe corn, as so
many Indians do; but treat her more as the pale-faces treat their
wives.
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